Short pulse neutron generator

A neutron generator comprising:

• a Blumlein structure comprising:
• a first conductive plate;
• a second conductive plate separate from the first conductive plate by an accelerating gap, wherein the second conductive plate is coplanar with the first conductive plate;
• a vacuum chamber positioned in the accelerating gap between the first conductive plate and the second conductive plate;
• a first electrode having a first face, the first electrode coupled to the first conductive plate, wherein the first electrode comprises a target surface loaded with at least one of deuterium or tritium;
• a second electrode having a second face, the second electrode coupled to the second conductive plate, wherein the second electrode comprises a target surface loaded with at least one of deuterium or tritium, the first electrode opposite the second electrode in the vacuum chamber and separated by the accelerating gap, wherein the first electrode face and the second electrode face each comprise a plurality of apertures,
• wherein the Blumlein structure is configured to accelerate ions in either direction of the first face and the second face in the accelerating gap;
• and
• an ion generator positioned between the first conductive plate and the second conductive plate, the ion generator positioned to output ions into the vacuum chamber.